There are many ways of cultivating vibrant, healthy plants indoors. One method that has gained attention of late is aeroponics. Surprisingly, this type of gardening requires neither a huge amount of space nor potting soil to yield impressive results. Aeroponic growing, however, does require specific supplies to create a suitable environment for seedlings and plants.

What is involved in aeroponics?

While everyone is familiar with cultivating plants in soil, this gardening approach exposes the plants’ root system to heavily misted air. The mist is not plain tap water, mind you, but rather a nutrient-rich solution. The roots absorb the nutrients readily in an aeroponics system-based environment and conduct them upward throughout the plant structure.

Although the root system is not submerged in either water or a growing solution, this method of plant cultivation is actually considered a variation of hydroponics gardening.

As you may expect, specific equipment is required to simultaneously contain and circulate this mist in a controlled environment. For this reason, an aeroponic system is often fully or partially closed. Such a design, some feel, also provides a barrier against pest infestation or the introduction of disease.

The low down on aeroponics systems

Equipment and complete systems for aeroponics growing are usually available from most locations that sell hydroponics supplies. While there are some similarities between components used for hydroponics gardening and air-based cultivation, they are not exactly alike. For this reason hydroponics supplies cannot be interchanged with aeroponics equipment.

A typical system includes some basic components. First an aeroponics system will include some sort of growing chamber. As mentioned, this chamber can be partially or completely enclosed so that it can control environmental conditions.

A pump mechanism is often included as well. Like hydroponics systems, these gardening environments require a fresh supply of nutrients. The pumping mechanism maintains the correct level of humidity in the growing area and ensures the airflow is active enough to prevent stagnant conditions.

A timing mechanism is also common in aeroponics gardening systems. While hydroponics systems maintain constant fluid levels by default, air based growing requires continuous misting in order to provide a stable growing environment. The timer insures that misting occurs at regular intervals so that growing conditions remain consistent.

Overall benefits

In addition to the convenience of having readily available produce from your indoor gardening efforts, this method of cultivation can provide a healthier crop than possible otherwise. Some feel there is less chance of disease and pest infestation in these gardens. Consequently, the use of pesticides is not necessary. This is particularly good news for gardeners preferring an organic crop.

Many gardeners have given up on the idea of a garden because they lack space, time or lots of experience. But if growing plants is an interest of yours container gardening could be your answer. Container gardens will allow you to enjoy “playing in the dirt” without investing a lot of time or money. You can get very creative in container gardening using vegetables, decorative grasses or flowers and herbs. You can plant a container garden with any plant that would grow outside. The trick is to come up with some creative ideas for your container garden.

You should do some research at your local nursery or on the internet to choose the plants you wish to grow to help you come up with some ideas. Try to use plants that complement each other and have the same basic needs for water, air and light.

A container garden idea that has taken off recently is the landscape container. Some people plant a simple evergreen tree in a container with good drainage to place at their front door. Or you could plant an assortment of flowers for a bright and beautiful vista. If you do plant flowers, add plants that spill over the sides of the container to add more visuals and interest. What ever container gardening idea you can come up with can be placed on a deck, patio, and balcony or by the front doors. Put them somewhere that your family and friends can enjoy.

You can grow vegetables in containers but choose wisely. Vegetables like squash and pole beans need lots of space, while tomatoes need a deep pot. When you grow your own vegetables you will have tasty produce not the bland stuff that is in the grocery store. Nothing tastes better than a tomato right off the vine. There are many chefs and good home cooks that grow their own for just this reason. Don’t forget to pot some herbs, they are pretty plants and add zest to your meals.

But don’t just stick to vegetables and herbs; why not add fruit trees too? Instead of using an evergreen tree, pot a fruit tree instead. There are many dwarf varieties available that work best in pots since with pots there is less soil therefore less nutrients to draw from. If you live in a year round warm climate citrus trees are perfect. In other regions, stick to pear, apple and cherry trees. Another good container gardening idea is to grow strawberries. With strawberries climate does not matter since you can bring the container inside. Fresh strawberries are amazingly sweet and delicious. Imagine how good a bowl of fresh strawberries will be, strawberries that you have just picked.

Remember that container gardens dry out more quickly than traditional gardens. Be diligent about watering your plants if you don’t want your container gardening ideas to wither and die. Container gardens must be fertilized too. Keep a small notebook handy so you can write down the needs of your plant so you will always know when to water or feed. Keep an eye out for pests. If you find a container that has an infestation, isolate it immediately and treat it with a natural pesticide. You don’t want harsh chemicals on fruits, vegetables or herbs. A good natural pesticide recipe is:

In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture and 1 cup water. Use at ten-day intervals (or more often if needed) to rid plants of whiteflies, mites, aphids, scales, and other pests.